Meatless Burgers Gain Popularity Across America

Mabel Fernandes

More than a year after McDonald introduced its McVeggie on an experimental basis, many of its franchises in big American cities are continuing to offer the veggie burger that uses soy products instead of the traditional beef filling.

The McDonald outlet in New York's Liberty Avenue, which has a large number of immigrants from India and the West Indies, recently started offering the McVeggie. But just as the McVeggie is catching up with vegetarians and occasional vegetarians alike, dozens of restaurants across America offer their own veggie burgers which are more flavorsome and spicier than the McDonald products.

Some animal activists believe in shunning the McVeggie because they do not want to support the corporation that thrives on animal products.

But other vegans are only too glad for the McVeggie.

"McDonalds have been disparaged in the vegan and vegetarian communities for a
long while as the largest purchasers of factory farmed beef in the world.
Who would have ever guessed McDonalds would turn
around and offer -- in limited
quantities -- a beefless 'burger'?" asks food
writer and firm Vegan David Boles.

"Some vegans have an aversion to eating anything
that tastes like or
resembles meat, but I don't presently share that
philosophy since I know the
difference between eating a real cow and a soy
imitation: I am avoiding the
suffering animal, not the ping on my palette.

"Did I feel I was supporting the continued
slaughter of cows, pigs and
chickens doomed in factory farms by handing over my
hard earned cash to the
'enemy' of vegans worldwide? No. I vote with my
money and by purchasing a
couple of McVeggies (two guys in another line
across from us also ordered
McVeggies!), I am placing my support behind
McDonalds' belated (better late
than never, eh?) attempt to offer a more ethical
and healthy meal plan.

"By buying a McVeggie I am fully supporting the
Virgin Vegan vein McDonalds
is exploring without condemning the entire
corporation," he continues. "Money
speaks, after all, and if McDonalds sells enough
McVeggies, we'll have them
available everywhere and that's a wonderful thing,
not a bad thing."

McDonald is not the only company that is selling
veggie burgers. In many
southern states and California, there are many restaurants
offering such.

In Phoenix, Arizona, the Terra Nova's veggie burger
is a freshly made mixture
of moist veggies and sunflower seeds, served with
ripe tomatoes, sweet
onions, good mustard and crisp lettuce on a whole
grain bun. You may ask
cheese to be added